Funding for transit
Looking for funding for a community transportation service or coordination effort? Check out these federal, state, foundation and other funding opportunities.
Federal Grants
The Federal Transit Administration announces the opportunity to apply for approximately $1.1 billion in competitive grants under the fiscal year 2022 Low or No Emission Grant Program and approximately $372 million in FY 2022 funds under the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program, subject to availability of appropriated funding.
Complete proposals must be submitted electronically through the GRANTS.GOV “APPLY” function by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on May 31, 2022. Prospective applicants should initiate the process by registering on the GRANTS.GOV website promptly to ensure completion of the application process before the submission deadline.
Learn more here.
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today announced the availability of $6.5 million in research funding for innovative transit bus automation demonstration projects that will improve safety and efficiency. Examples of bus automation projects might include strategies for avoiding collisions with pedestrians, improved emergency braking, and precision movement for bus fueling, charging and maintenance.
Under the Notice of Funding Opportunity, FTA is making $5 million available for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems for transit buses to help improve bus operator safety and efficiency. Another $1.5 million is available for automated transit bus maintenance operations to improve efficiency and safety in maintenance facilities. As part of its commitment to helping transit workers prepare for technological industry advancements, FTA will look at potential impacts on the workforce as a result of applications submitted through this funding opportunity.
Complete proposals must be submitted electronically through the GRANTS.GOV “APPLY” function by November 21, 2022.
New SMART and ATTAIN Programs Support Innovation that Advances American Competitiveness, Fights Climate Change, Improves Safety and Helps Americans Save Time and Money
WASHINGTON- The U.S. Department of Transportation announced today that it is accepting applications for two programs that will make approximately $160 million available annually for the next five years for projects that use technology to improve our transportation infrastructure and make communities safer.
The first program is the new Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants Program. The SMART Grants Program is made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed by President Biden on November 15, 2021. The program will offer up to $100 million in grants annually over the next five years and will fund projects that use data and technology to solve real-world challenges facing communities today.
“As we undertake the most ambitious infrastructure investment in generations, thanks to the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we can and must plan for the transportation needs of the future,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “From connected vehicles that make driving safer, to smart traffic signals that reduce congestion, to sensors to detect the quality of pavement to help prioritize repair, our SMART grants will fund technology that makes people’s lives better in communities across America.”
The SMART program will fund purpose-driven innovation and focus on building data and technology capacity and expertise. The Program seeks proposals from public sector entities that will carry out demonstration projects in the following domains to address key transportation priorities:
- Vehicle technology, like automation and connectivity
- Systems innovation, like delivery and logistics, traffic signals, smart grid, and data integration
- And new ways to monitor and manage infrastructure, like sensors and UAS
"Achieving our transportation priorities related to safety, economic strength, equity, and climate requires bold investment in new technologies and approaches,” said Dr. Robert C. Hampshire, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology and Chief Science Officer at US DOT. “SMART supports a broad portfolio of projects across the country that will serve as beacons as we move toward a transportation system that is data-driven, values-based, and technology-enabled."
The second is the Federal Highway Administration’s $60 million Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation (ATTAIN) program to promote advanced technologies to improve safety and reduce travel times for drivers and transit riders and that can serve as national examples. As a result of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, ATTAIN-eligible projects will be evaluated on how they consider climate change and environmental justice impacts – including how they reduce transportation-related air pollution and address the disproportionate impacts on disadvantaged communities. In addition, projects are evaluated on their economic impact and potential to create jobs.
“As we level the playing field and improve the travel experience for everyone, we need to promote the use of state-of-the-art technologies, and the ATTAIN program does just that,” said Acting Federal Highway Administrator Stephanie Pollack. “The Biden-Harris Administration has taken a program with a track record of delivering innovation through the use of advanced technologies and made it truly forward-looking by refocusing its goals to include promoting equity and tackling climate change, in addition to creating jobs and delivering positive economic impact.”
The SMART Notice of Funding (NOFO) is open now and can be found at www.grants.gov. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM EDT on Friday, November 18, 2022. Eligible entities are state, local, and tribal governments and agencies. For more information visit https://www.transportation.gov/grants/SMART.
The ATTAIN NOFO can also be found at www.grants.gov. State departments of transportation, local governments, transit agencies, metropolitan planning organizations and other eligible entities are invited to apply. Applications must be submitted by Friday, November 18, 2022. For more information, visit the FHWA web site.
Tribal Grants
Other Grants
Technology Grants
Foundation Funding Opportunities
Does your transit route include the community Walmart store? Many transit agencies across the nation go through the Walmart Foundation for local match funds.
Visit The Walmart Foundation website here.
Funding Source: Telligen Community Initiative (TCI)
Deadlines & Geographic Focus: 2021 Cycle 1: 2/28/2022 for Oklahoma or Colorado-based applications; 2022 Cycle 2: 6/13/2022 for Iowa or Illinois-based applications (grant application portal submission in a one-step application)
Overview: Grants of up to $50,000 to Illinois, Iowa, Colorado, and Oklahoma nonprofits, schools, and agencies for programs that support creative ways to bring innovation and equity to the health sector and recruiting and generating pathways to a high-quality health care workforce. Programs can also emphasize novel approaches to positively address the social determinants of health. Review the 2022 RFP for preferred priority-based project themes.
Funding focus areas:
Social Determinants of Health / Health Equity: The social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live work and age. The social determinants of health can be most responsible for resulting health inequities. TCI believes in advancing health equity and achieving this requires novel approaches to positively address the social determinants of health. Catalytic funding is needed to foster new approaches to these upstream issues.
Healthcare Workforce Development: TCI provides resources in this funding priority to help educate, recruit, and retain a diverse, high-quality workforce that is geographically distributed and more accessible to vulnerable populations and communities.
Estimated Size of Grant: Up to $50,000 per project request maximum. TCI funded 44 awards in 2021 with an average award size of $44,570 per grant award. No firm matching funds requirement (though demonstrated match is always welcome and helpful from a sustainability standpoint).
Funding Period: All current TCI grants are for periods of one year. Cycle 1 awardees (OK or CO) begin on June 1, 2022. Cycle 2 awardees (IA or IL) begin on November 1, 2022.
Eligibility: To request a grant, your organization must be a recognized as a federally tax-exempt section 501(c)(3) charitable organization, an accredited school, or a public/governmental agency located in (or doing work within) the states of Illinois, Iowa. Colorado, or Oklahoma. Note: a public agency is an organization established and primarily funded by a unit of government. Examples could include a public school, public library, local public health department or state governmental agency. Note that TCI does not fund organizations with a pending 501(c)(3) status.
Pre-Application Information of Interest:
FAQ: Application FAQ - Telligen Community Initiative (telligenci.org)http://
How to apply: How to Apply - Telligen Community Initiative (telligenci.org)
Application portal: TCI One-Step Grant Application - 2022 - Formstack
Grant application scoring tool: 2022-TCI-Application-Scoring-
The due dates for The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation grants: January 15 and July 15. Applications received after a due date are held until the next eligible meeting.
Foundation grants available by application are limited to two geographic areas: the state of Oklahoma, with preference given to the greater Tulsa area.
Visit the website by clicking here.
SOMF provides funds to support healthcare, education, and other community needs. The deadlines for returning the completed grant application — are:
- March 1
- June 1
- September 1
- December 1
Funding decisions are made by the Board of Trustees approximately eight weeks following the grant application deadline.
Visit the website and apply by clicking here.
Geographic areas of funding are limited to the Greater Tulsa area with preference to the City of Tulsa
Deadlines
- The Trustees of The Sharna and Irvin Frank Foundation meet in June and November of each year to consider grant applications.
- The deadline for submission of grant applications is April 1st for the June meeting and September 1st for the November meeting. We should receive the application in our office no later than the stated deadlines (not postmark date).
- Organizations who submit eligible grant applications will be notified of the decision of the board within 3 weeks after the board meeting.
- No late applications will be accepted.
Visit the website for more information- click here
The Gelvin Foundation is limited by policy to the support of non-profit organizations principally in Oklahoma, with emphasis given to organizations whose programs and services primarily benefit those living within a 30-mile radius of Tulsa or Eufaula. To be eligible for consideration, an organization must have a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status or its equivalent with the Internal Revenue Service. Grant applications for individuals or political interests are not accepted, and applications for general support, debt reduction or continued support for the same programs are discouraged.
Grant proposals are evaluated by the Board of Directors on a quarterly basis in March, June, September and December. All proposals received at least one month prior to the quarterly meeting will be considered, providing that all requested information has been provided. The following timetable will be used in scheduling proposals:
- Received by February 10th —- will be evaluated in March
- Received by May 10th —- will be evaluated in June
- Received by August 10th —- will be evaluated in September
- Received by October 10th —- will be evaluated in December
Click here to visit the Gelven Foundation website for more information
SMALL GRANTS ($10,000 OR LESS):
- REVIEWED MONTHLY
- PLEASE ALLOW 60 DAYS FOR CONSIDERATION
LARGE GRANTS (OVER $10,000):
- LETTERS OF INQUIRY DUE BY JUNE 1ST OR DECEMBER 1ST
GRANTEES ARE LIMITED TO ONE REQUEST PER YEAR. Click here to visit the Kirkpatrick Foundation website.
The Oklahoma City Community Foundation has a new grant opportunity. Attend the Services for the Elderly iFund Grant information meeting! If you are a charitable organization that provides direct services to the elderly, you don't want to miss out on our Services for the Elderly iFund grant opportunity!
The Services for the Elderly iFund program was designed to support organizations that provide direct services to the elderly (65+ years) which enable seniors to live independently in their homes. Other services for seniors include activities that promote wellness and recreational opportunities, thus encouraging health and reducing social isolation.
Friday, Sept. 10, 2021
Last day to register for Grant Information Meeting
Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021, 3 p.m.
Grant Information Meeting
Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021
Last day to publish GiveSmartOKC profile and request online access to application
Friday, Oct. 15, 2021
Grant Application Deadline
Click here to read more and to register for the upcoming grant information meeting.
COVID-19 Grant Opportunity for Community Based Organizations (CBO)
Trusted community members can help their communities reach herd immunity and get back to normal routine sooner. To help with the efforts, OSDH-Immunization Service is offering $20,000 grants to Community Based Organizations (CBOs). These CBOs can help improve vaccinations’ coverage and healthy equity across Oklahoma. Some examples are assisting in vaccine clinics, transportation, medical personnel holding local Q&A’s for their community, town halls, helping those in the rural areas of the state and much more.
The Community Based Organizations may include, but are not limited to:
- Health Systems, Clinics, FQHCs, RHCs
- Tribal Clinics
- Public Health Partners (i.e. Quality Improvement organizations, Coalitions)
- Transportation Providers
- Educational Institutions
- Faith based organizations
- Physical and Mental Health Associations
- Day Centers
OTA Grant Policy
For OTA grants:
Any grant awarded by the Oklahoma Transit Association is limited to 25% indirect costs.
OTA Members
Are you an OTA member and struggling with grant writing skills? Check out our calendar for upcoming training opportunities or contact us at oktransit@oktransit.org directly to request assistance.
Grant Writing Resources
- National RTAP: Grant Writing for Rural and Tribal Transit Providers click here to access this resource